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14 Wave Moon Cave

Bajie walked until he was sleepy and thought, "If I go back now and tell the old monk I couldn't get food, he won't believe me. I'd better rest half a watch and then report." Having made up his mind, he lay down in the grass and fell fast asleep. Meanwhile, the Tang Monk waited anxiously in the forest and asked Sandy, "Why hasn't Bajie returned?" Sandy said, "Master, don't worry. Wait here, and I'll go look for him." With that he grasped his staff and left the pine forest. After a long while, the Tang Monk sat alone in the forest, unbearably hungry and thirsty, and forced himself to his feet to walk slowly out of the forest. Because he was troubled and confused, he unwittingly went the wrong way, heading straight south. Leaving the pine forest, he saw ahead a pagoda emitting golden light. The Tang Monk said gladly, "There must be a temple beneath the pagoda. Let me go worship the Buddha and burn incense." The Tang Monk came to the pagoda gate, lifted the bamboo curtain, and went in. Looking up sharply, he saw on a stone bed a demon with a green face and protruding fangs. At the sight, the Tang Monk was paralyzed with fear, his legs went weak, and he turned to flee. The demon was awakened and opened his eyes, shouting, "Little ones, seize this monk!" Many lesser demons rushed out from both sides and swarmed toward the Tang Monk. The Tang Monk was terrified, but the mountain road was rugged and he could not walk fast. In a moment, the lesser demons caught him and carried him back. The demon was overjoyed and directed the lesser demons to push the Tang Monk into a cave. He demanded, "Where are you from, monk? Where did you come from and where are you going? Speak quickly!" The Tang Monk answered in alarm, "This poor monk comes from the Great Tang in the east and is going west to worship the Buddha and seek the scriptures. I disturbed Your Excellency unintentionally; I beg your pardon." Hearing this, the demon laughed heartily and said, "So it is the Tang Monk! I was just about to eat you, and you delivered yourself to my door." He ordered the lesser demons, "Bind this monk." They swarmed forward, tied the Tang Monk with ropes, fastened him to the soul-fixing post, and then closed the cave gate. Meanwhile, Sandy had left the forest to find Bajie. After walking more than ten li, he heard someone talking in the grass. Parting the deep grass with his staff, he saw that it was Bajie talking in his sleep. Sandy angrily grabbed Bajie's ear and shouted, "You fool! Master told you to beg for food, yet you sleep here. Come back with me at once." Bajie, half asleep, held the alms bowl and carried his rake as he followed Sandy back. When they returned to the forest, the Tang Monk was gone. Sandy complained, "It's all because of you, fool. Master must have been captured by a demon." Bajie laughed, "Brother, don't talk nonsense. What demon is there in this forest? The old monk probably couldn't sit still and went sightseeing. Let's go find him." The two had no choice but to lead the horse and carry the load out of the pine forest to look for the Tang Monk. After searching a while, they too saw the pagoda to the south. When the two drew near, they saw a cave with its gate tightly shut. A stone slab above the gate was carved with six large characters: "Mount Wanzi, Wave-Moon Cave." Sandy said, "Second Brother, this must be a demon cave. I'm afraid Master is inside." Bajie said, "Brother Sandy, you watch the horse and luggage while I go ask." With that he raised his rake and shouted, "Open the gate! Open the gate!"

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